Welcome to the first installment of “Behind the Screen”, a series of weekly (or more often!) articles that I’ll be putting out. Some of these will be about League matters like new rules and such, and some will be about the ever-pesky DM Empowerment topic and how I apply it to my own tables. That said, let’s get down to business! So, we recently had a brief post about using the checkmark/ checkpoint system (adapted and modified from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything). As we expected, there was a sudden and intense flurry of comments via Facebook for this, and there was a TON of guesswork being done by gamers everywhere. Heck, we like guesswork as much as the next table of dice-throwers, too! But… as we’ve been saying since then, and what we’ll say again here, is this: D&D isn’t going to fundamentally change – we’re simply adjusting the spotlight to really focus on what this edition really, truly spotlights: the story. Yes, one of the changes that is coming soon is that we’re doing away with experience points for Adventurers League. This will be starting with season 8. We want to make the gaming experience simpler for people of all exposure levels and walks of life (gaming or otherwise). To that end, we routinely and regularly talk to players about the things they like and don’t like about the game; sometimes these discussions are open and obvious, and sometimes the data is pulled from conversations that unfold in our managed interfaces like Facebook and Twitter. Tracking and reporting experience gains are never on the list of “things that people like”. However, these things are on the “things that people don’t like” lists time and time again; sometimes it’s in the vein of “I have a hard time with math”, or “I don’t care about experience points because the numbers don’t make sense”, or “level 1 is so fast but level 4 is so slow!”, or any number of other reasons. We’ve also found that tracking experience becomes a barrier for newer players in that they will see the tier 3 and 4 content, think it’s awesome and a cool goal, but then look at the ‘hundreds of thousands of experience points needed but I only got 300 for my tier 1 game so why bother’ and write off...

One of the biggest and most impactful tools that a tabletop gamer can use is the story. Whether they are acting as a player or serving as a Dungeon Master, the story provides ample opportunities to roleplay. By putting ourselves in the proverbial shoes of our characters, what do we see? What do we do? Why? Recently a group of Adventurers League players (and their characters, of course) have decided to take matters into their own hands are seeking to guide some storyline development by entering into a prolonged roleplaying session amongst themselves and with the city of Mulmaster as the backdrop. They are putting themselves into the roles of heroes and adventurers and are seeking to put a cap on the power that the Thayans are building in this beleaguered place. Their interactions have been many, with multiple Discord servers and Facebook groups being spun up and attentions are high – all because one group of Emerald Enclave members decided to make an announcement of war upon the Thayans of Mulmaster. For a time, the hawksofmulmaster.net website merely showed a quietly menacing countdown timer. The Hawks had made clear that this declaration of war would be disastrous for the city and for all that still lived here. Embedded in this countdown page were some subtle warnings about what might happen should the issue be pressed. (hint: view source on the countdown page in your browser) And indeed, it was pressed. The Enclave doubled down and gathered more strong arms and allies to their side. The visiting Zulkir was not amused and through his agents a rebuttal was issued (this link does not work appropriately for mobile devices). The rest of the factions have been in turmoil since these events began, and we are beginning to see Harpers siding with Zhentarim, Lords’ Alliance and Order of the Gauntlet officers standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their allies in the Enclave, and some characters even leaving their factions entirely. The excitement is palpable for these players, as it is for their characters. They are breathing in the world and the effects of their actions, and… … it’s awesome! This is what we love see: community involvement, especially when these events grow organically from a player-led decision! What will happen as a result of these actions and discussions and missives is not yet clear. The...

Welcome to the first installment of “Behind the Screen”, a series of weekly (or more often!) articles that I’ll be putting out. Some of these will be about League matters like new rules and such, and some will be about the ever-pesky DM Empowerment topic and how I apply it to my own tables. That said, let’s get down to business! So, we recently had a brief post about using the checkmark/ checkpoint system...

One of the biggest and most impactful tools that a tabletop gamer can use is the story. Whether they are acting as a player or serving as a Dungeon Master, the story provides ample opportunities to roleplay. By putting ourselves in the proverbial shoes of our characters, what do we see? What do we do? Why? Recently a group of Adventurers League players (and their characters, of course) have decided to take matters into their own hands...

New Tomb of Annihilation releases on the DMsGuild! These adventures take our brave party into the jungles of Chult, what will they find in the Rot from Within trilogy? Will you be DMing or playing these? DDAL07-06 Fester and Burn Level Range: 5-10 (optimized for 8th level) Adventure Designer: James Introcaso Adventure Description: The denizens of the Old City have made some unusual sightings in the festering refuse pits on the...

Beware the Xanathar! The mighty Xanathar, lord of Skullport and Collector of All Things, has graciously allowed a catalog of his wares and experience escape from Skullport and onto the shelves of your favorite local game shop. This book is an exciting addition to the Dungeons and Dragons game and offers a significant number of new options and rules for your favorite Adventures League characters and games. That said, we understand that...

Here are some of the great stories you’ve shared. For each day a finalist will be chosen, after all the stories have been shared and voted on we’ll vote on the finalists from each day to win a copy of Lost Tales of Myth Drannor! Entries for the contest are currently closed. 41 During the Elemental Evil season, I had a married couple at my weekly Encounters Table. Dan was playing an Air Gensasi Monk, and regularly failed...

Here are some of the great stories you’ve shared. For each day a finalist will be chosen, after all the stories have been shared and voted on we’ll vote on the finalists from each day to win a copy of Lost Tales of Myth Drannor! Didn’t share yours? There’s still time, you have until the end of today! Check out details at the Share Your Stories page. 30 “We where playing S2 Shackles in Hillsfar. 30...